Ring support for containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a specific ring support construction that supports containers of volatile liquids where the containers may become deformed, unstable and possibly tip over and provides a stable base for the containers and also makes the containers easier to navigate through conventional filing lines; said ring support construction comprising:  
     a top hollow peripheral portion for housing a container to provide vertical side support of said container;  
     a bottom hollow peripheral portion connected below said top hollow peripheral, said bottom hollow peripheral portion having at least one vent hole; and  
     a seat formed about where said top hollow peripheral portion and said bottom hollow peripheral portion meet to provide horizontal bottom support for said container&#39;s base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a specific ring support construction for supporting containers, and more particularly to a ring support construction that supports containers of volatile liquids where the containers can become deformed, unstable and possibly tip over. This invention also relates to a combination of this specific ring support and a container that fits in this ring support construction.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of Art

[0004] Currently, chemicals that build vapor pressure are usually stored in plastic containers. The containers usually have either a footed base or a flat base. The use of a footed or a flat base is to provide a platform for the containers and assist the containers in standing and remaining upright. One such flat-based container is the Alpha container which is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is available from PurePak Technology, Inc. of Gilbert, Ariz. However, even with a footed or flat base, these containers can become unstable and prone to tipping over when a sufficient amount of vapor pressure builds up in the container to physically deform the base of the container.

[0005] It can also be extremely dangerous and costly if containers tip over. For example, it is possible for a tipped over container to leak, causing hazardous materials to spill out. Additionally, the container itself must be replaced if it is sufficiently damaged. Workers are also in danger of being injured from tipping containers. Another problem is that unfilled containers can be very difficult to navigate through a conventional filling line. After filling, the deformation makes them prone to tipping and colliding with each other. Finally, specially constructed containers with other types of bases designed to avoid tipping can be more expensive to make than standard containers that are currently available.

[0006] A need therefore exists for a device that could both help to stabilize containers and also make them easier to navigate through conventional filling lines as well as provide stability to them while in transit or during use. This invention offers a solution to these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Specifically, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a ring construction for holding a container comprising:

[0008] a top hollow peripheral portion for housing a container to provide vertical side support of said container;

[0009] a bottom hollow peripheral portion connected below said top hollow peripheral portion, said bottom hollow peripheral portion having at least one vent hole; and

[0010] a seat formed about where said top hollow peripheral portion and said bottom hollow peripheral portion meet to provide horizontal bottom support for said container's base.

[0011] The top peripheral portion maintains a secure fit with the container. Through the use of a nub on the edge of the top peripheral portion, a container is further secured in the ring support. The nub, which is essentially a bulge that runs along the top edge of the top peripheral portion, also adds structural integrity to said top peripheral portion.

[0012] The bottom peripheral portion provides a space between the container base or bottom and the floor. Additionally, the bottom peripheral portion has at least one vent hole (preferably at least two) in it that allows air to escape. This vent hole is critical because when a container is seated in a ring, it is possible for air between the container bottom and the floor to become compressed if the container deforms. This vent hole or holes keeps air pressure from building up inside the ring support itself when a container is deformed. The use of more than one vent hole can aid in rapidly evacuating air from between the container bottom and the floor in the event of container deformation, thus preventing the combined ring and container from tipping over.

[0013] Several things can cause container deformation. Obviously, one common instance occurs when a container is filled with volatile liquid, sealed, and the temperature changes. Another cause could be from or vigorous shaking of the container. Yet another cause could be from collisions with walls or other containers.

[0014] In another embodiment, the top peripheral portion is partially concave, with the concave side facing into the ring support. As a container slides into the top peripheral portion, the top edge of the top peripheral portion, with or without a nub, would press against the side of the container. It is advantageous to use a partially concave shape because it aids in securely holding the sides of the container in the top peripheral portion.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a combination of the ring support and a container that sits on the seat of said ring support. This combination, among other things, aids in the navigation of containers through conventional filing lines. A container fits into the ring support and sits on the seat. A space between the floor and the container bottom is maintained and there is at least one vent hole in the lower portion of the ring support to allow air to escape.

[0016] It is therefore an advantage of this invention to provide a ring support that keeps containers stable even if the container becomes deformed. It is also an advantage of this invention to keep containers stable when deformation of the container creates compressed air between the container and the floor. It is a further advantage of this invention to improve the navigability of such containers in conventional filing lines.

[0017] These and other advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a ring support, which is formed in accordance with this invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a top view of that ring support.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a side view of that ring support.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a cross-section side view of that ring support.

[0022] FIGS. 5-9 are various alternative cross-section views of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a ring support 12 is shown with a top peripheral portion 2 and a bottom peripheral portion 4. Top peripheral portion 2 transitions to bottom peripheral portion 4 at seat 8. A container fits into top peripheral portion 2 and sits on seat 8. However, during deformation, a container may not rest entirely on seat 8 yet the container's stability would still be maintained. Vent holes 6 and 10 are located in bottom peripheral portion 4 to allow air to escape from inside ring support 12 when a container is seated in it.

[0024] It will be readily appreciated that the peripheral portions may be modified to fit different size and shape containers and are not restricted to circular peripheral portions. Alternatively, oval or other non-circular shapes would also be appropriate. For instance, in an alternative embodiment one or both peripheral portions would be replaced by the perimeter of a square or other shape such as triangle. The appropriate shape and size of the peripheral portions or perimeters for a particular container ensures that the container will sit properly on the seat, and when the ring support is used to support a container in an upright position it will provide a sufficiently stable base in the event of container deformation. Ring support 12 is preferably made from HDPE but could also be made from any other durable material that is capable of supporting the weight of a container and its contents. Other suitable material includes poly propylene, ABS and nylon. Additionally, the material should preferably be resistant to acids and other volatile liquids that may be in a container.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of ring 12 is shown detailing the top and bottom peripheral portions 2 and 4 respectively. Top peripheral portion 2 is shown with a partially concave shape facing the inside of ring 12 and also is shown with a small nub 14 at the top of top peripheral portion 2. The addition of the nub and the partially concave shape to top peripheral portion 2 aid in holding in a container.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a top view of ring 12. Although FIG. 3 has a perfectly circular circumference for housing correspondingly circular-based containers, other shapes could also be used. For example, the upper circumference could be replaced with a square shaped perimeter to house a container with a square bottom.

[0027] In FIG. 4 a preferred embodiment of a cross-section of ring support 12 is shown. Top peripheral portion 2 is partially concave with a nub on its outer edge and bottom peripheral portion 4 is straight. Seat 8 is formed by a smooth transition about the section of the ring support where top peripheral portion 2 and bottom peripheral portion 4 meet.

[0028]FIGS. 5 through 9 are cross-sectional views of a cutout of ring support 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the transition between parallel top and bottom peripheral portions creates a seat that is perpendicular to the peripheral portions.

[0029] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, top peripheral portion 2 is straight and transitions smoothly into bottom peripheral portion 4 and forms a slightly bulging seat 8.

[0030]FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of seat 8 where it is at a 45° angle in relation to top and bottom peripheral portions 2 and 4 respectively.

[0031] In FIG. 8, top peripheral portion 2 is concave and seat 8 protrudes from top peripheral portion at a 90° angle where top peripheral portion 2 and bottom peripheral portion 4 meet.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 9, a further embodiment is shown where top peripheral portion 2 and bottom peripheral portion 4 have the same circumference and seat 8 protrudes from about the center of the wall of ring support 12.

[0033] While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such changes, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All patent applications, patents and other publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0034] While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such changes, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All patent applications, patents and other publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ring support for holding a container comprising: a top hollow peripheral portion for housing a container to provide vertical side support of said container; a bottom hollow peripheral portion connected below said top hollow peripheral, said bottom hollow peripheral portion having at least one vent hole; and a seat formed about where said top hollow peripheral portion and said bottom hollow peripheral portion meet to provide horizontal bottom support for said container's base.
 2. The ring support of claim 1 wherein said bottom peripheral portion has a circumference that is smaller than the circumference of said top peripheral portion.
 3. The ring support of claim 2 wherein said top peripheral portion has a nub located around its upper edge.
 4. The ring support of claim 1 wherein said top peripheral portion is partially concave.
 5. The ring support of claim 1 wherein said bottom peripheral portion has at least two air holes.
 6. A ring support for holding a container comprising: a top hollow perimeter for housing a container; a bottom hollow perimeter connected below said top hollow perimeter with a radius smaller than said top hollow perimeter, said bottom hollow perimeter having at least one hole in it; and a seat formed about where said top hollow perimeter and said bottom hollow perimeter meet to provide support for said container.
 7. The ring support of claim 6 wherein said top perimeter is partially concave relative to the center of the ring.
 8. The ring support of claim 7 wherein said top perimeter is circular.
 9. The ring support of claim 7 wherein said top perimeter is non-circular.
 10. The ring support of claim 7 wherein said bottom perimeter is circular.
 11. The ring support of claim 7 wherein said bottom perimeter is non-circular.
 12. An article comprising the combination of: the ring support of claim 1; and a plastic container that sits about the seat of said ring support. 